Grassroots Outdoor Alliance welcomes outdoor industry brands to join free online hub supporting spring 21 buying cycle
Get access to everything we publish when you sign up for Outside+.
ASHEVILLE, NC (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) — In this season of business collaboration, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance has launched a free, flexible and open online platform — the Connect Hub — to bring together vendor brands and specialty retailers for the spring 2021 buying process.
With 81 retail members comprising 182 storefronts nationwide, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance (www.grassrootsoutdoors.com) is a national association working together for the long-term health of independent specialty outdoor retail.
For their new Connect Hub, however, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance will be welcoming approved retailers and qualified brands from outside their traditional membership.
“For the independent specialty retailer community, open accessibility for the greatest possible number of vendors and retailers is of utmost importance for the spring 21 buying cycle. To acknowledge that reality, we created a tool that would support both our members and our industry at whatever level they are able to come to the table, and whenever it works best for them,” said Gabe Maier, vice president of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance.
Designed for simplicity and ease of use, the Connect Hub supports qualified vendor brands of all levels by hosting essential sales tools and best practices in a single, structured location, including available categories; an overview of their sell-in process; key deadlines; product and brand images; assets including workbooks, price lists, MAP policies and order forms; and links to any B2B sales platforms, if available.
All company materials other than basic contact information will be password protected and accessible only by verified specialty retailers.
The Connect Hub opened for vendor submissions on June 2, 2020, and is anticipated to begin welcoming approved retailers later this month. Interested vendors should go to https://connect.grassrootsoutdoors.com/connect-hub.
ABOUT GRASSROOTS OUTDOOR ALLIANCE
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a national association working together for the health and growth of independent specialty outdoor retail. With 81 retail members comprising 182 storefronts nationwide, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is creating both a vision and roadmap for the long-term success of independent specialty retailers, through data collection and analysis, direct member support, specialty events, and deep vendor partnerships. Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is also recognized as a catalyst for the success of its retailers and vendor partners; an advocate for specialty independent retail; a promoter of education and community within the specialty channel; and a key influencer of the national outdoor industry. For more information on Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, please go to www.grassrootsoutdoors.com.
ABOUT GRASSROOTS CONNECT
Grassroots Connect is the twice annual buying show of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance. Efficient, affordable and effective for every attendee, Grassroots Connect is the only national show designed specifically to improve retail buying results. Scheduled as early as possible in the buying cycle, the growing Grassroots Connect show attracts more than 1,000 independent specialty retailers, vendor brands, media, and members of the outdoor industry community to each show. Connect provides a highly efficient opportunity for retailers, reps and vendors to present, discuss, plan and collect pre-season orders. Cost-effective and simple, Connect is both an incubator and testing ground for the greater outdoor industry. Invited retailers receive a per attendee reimbursement to offset their travel costs. Upcoming Grassroots Connect dates include Kansas City, Mo. (Nov. 9-12, 2020); Knoxville, Tenn. (June 7-10, 2021); and Kansas City, Mo. (Nov. 8-11, 2021). For more information, please go to https://connect.grassrootsoutdoors.com.
